Because the Hebrews have not grown as they should have, they are not in a position to receive further instruction that would otherwise benefit them. However, the author of Hebrews does not let his readers off the hook because of their spiritual immaturity; rather, he points out their culpability and exhorts them to grow. The main reason he finds it difficult to explain the implications of Christ’s high priesthood (about which he has been writing in 4:14–5:10) is due not to the subject matter but rather to their own “dullness of hearing.” The word translated “dullness” means lazy or negligent, and it indicates that the condition is self-inflicted. The Hebrews have developed a reluctance to listen to the Word of God.
One thing most children have in common is a desire to grow up. They look forward to being big and experiencing life from the perspective of someone who has advanced beyond childhood. Whether that involves going to school or getting a driver’s license, the privileges and opportunities that attend maturity lead children to aspire to growth.
Adults expect children to grow as well. When they fail to develop and mature, it is abnormal and therefore cause for concern.
Scripture encourages such desires and expectations for believers. Peter writes, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). He commands us to desire that which will enable our spiritual growth (“milk of the word”; NASB) so that by it we mature into the salvation that is ours in Christ. Similarly, you can hear the frustration of unfulfilled expectations in the words of the author of Hebrews as he gently rebukes his readers for their ongoing spiritual immaturity:
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food. (Heb. 5:11–12)
Because the Hebrews have not grown as they should have, they are not in a position to receive further instruction that would otherwise benefit them.
However, the author of Hebrews does not let his readers off the hook because of their spiritual immaturity; rather, he points out their culpability and exhorts them to grow. The main reason he finds it difficult to explain the implications of Christ’s high priesthood (about which he has been writing in 4:14–5:10) is due not to the subject matter but rather to their own “dullness of hearing.” The word translated “dullness” means lazy or negligent, and it indicates that the condition is self-inflicted. The Hebrews have developed a reluctance to listen to the Word of God.
The letter’s recipients, however, are not merely blamed for their spiritually immature condition—they are challenged to leave it behind and to “go on to maturity” (6:1) by building on the foundation that has long been laid in their lives through repentance and faith. Like the Hebrews, every Christian, regardless of age, experience, or circumstance, bears this responsibility to grow spiritually.
Every Christian, regardless of age, experience or circumstance bears this responsibility to grow spiritually.
The Shape of Spiritual Maturity
The word translated “maturity” in Hebrews 6:1 belongs to a family of words that are translated elsewhere as “complete” or “perfect.” It carries the idea of wholeness or full development. To “go on to maturity,” then, involves growing into a complete, fully developed disciple of Christ. It means to become increasingly like Christ in our thinking, moral character, and devotion to God.
Ephesians 4:13–15 describes spiritual maturity as being built up
to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
Mature Christians are those whose lives are marked by such stability that they are not easily led astray by teachings and practices that are contrary to the Word of God. On the contrary, mature believers are “growing up in every way” into Christ.
The How of Spiritual Maturity
Growth naturally follows birth in one’s spiritual life, just as it does in one’s physical life. That it is normal, however, does not mean that it is automatic. God has provided specific instruments to lead His people to spiritual maturity. The Westminster Confession of Faith summarizes this provision:
Unto this catholic visible Church Christ has given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and does, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto. (WCF 25.3)
Ordinary means of grace have been provided by God for both the “gathering” (conversion) and “perfecting” (maturing) of His people. The means that God has provided for creating faith in His people are the same means by which He intends for them to grow in faith. When Scripture encourages believers to advance in the Christian life, it never has in mind that we can outgrow our need of these ordinary means. Rather, as we continue to employ these means faithfully, we are empowered to grow deeper and stronger in our relationship with Christ.
